A study in cooperation with ZEG
E-bikes, also known as pedelecs, have become a much more common sight on our roads in recent years. These bicycles, which are assisted by electric motors, make it possible to cover longer distances without much physical effort. How healthy is riding an e-bike really, and is there any truth to the preconception that people on e-bikes don't get any proper exercise? A study by Hannover Medical School, Leibniz University Hannover, and the Zweirad-Einkaufsgenossenschaft (Bicycle Purchasing Cooperative) aims to answer this question.
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"It has now been well documented that people who use pedelecs travel much more regularly and further than riders of conventional bicycles."
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Key facts
"Do you even have to move on an e-bike?" This and other preconceptions are particularly prevalent among long-time riders of non-motorized bicycles. The actual health effects of riding an e-bike are currently being investigated in a large-scale study. The study aims to determine the preventive potential of e-bikes compared to bicycles.
Under the title "Pedelec and Health," Hannover Medical School (MHH) is collaborating with Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) and the Zweirad-Einkaufsgenossenschaft (ZEG) to investigate the effects of e-bike and pedelec riding on health. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and is part of the implementation of the National Cycling Plan 2020.
A total of 1,200 cyclists will be included in the study. Across the country, 800 e-bike riders and 400 cyclists without motors will be studied in parallel as a control group.
Motor or no motor – which is better?
It is clear that the physical strain involved in riding an e-bike is less than that of riding a conventional bicycle. And yet there is still an effect: "It has now been well documented that people who use pedelecs cycle much more regularly and further than riders of conventional bicycles," says Uwe Tegtbur, professor and head of the Institute for Sports Medicine at MHH. So there are indeed positive effects on health. Tegtbur adds that e-bikes are particularly attractive for people who were not physically active before. It's not just about not having to exert yourself. "If you have osteoarthritis in your knee, for example, you will be significantly relieved at critical points, such as uphill," explains Tegtbur. Physical fitness is still maintained.
Background to the study
To stay healthy, we need to be physically active. Cycling and e-biking can help us stay active. E-bikes and pedelecs, both of which are motor-powered bicycles, have not yet been extensively researched in terms of their impact on physical health. The "Pedelec and Health" study program is investigating the different consequences that can be expected for the body with and without a motor.
As part of the 2020 Cycling Plan, the study aims to encourage more people to cycle. As a small incentive, participants in the study will receive a Garmin watch (Forerunner 35) that measures their physical exertion while cycling. In addition, the study offers sports science feedback and advice on road safety.
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